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Overview

12 goals in opening four matches

(FIFA.com) Thursday 31 May 2001

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The first full round of matches in the FIFA Confederations Cup has produced a dozen goals - but four of the eight teams have failed to score.

France lead the pack with their 5-0 drubbing of hosts Korea on Wednesday evening in the opening match in Daegu before 61,500 spectators, the same night as Australia were upsetting the cup-holders from Mexico 2-0 in a far less populated stadium in Suwon.

Thursday's games, in Japan, both needed second-half rallies to provide the goals : Brazil shrugged off an uncomfortable first half against Cameroon to win 2-0 in a sparsely populated stadium in Kashima, while Japan eventually satisfied nearly 40,000 fans in Niigata, scoring three second-half goals against the stubborn Canadians.

Alongside the action on the pitch, eyes have also been on the organisational capacity of next year's World Cup co-hosts, and the opening days saw both Korea and Japan pass the test with flying colours. Superb new stadiums and immaculate playing surfaces have been the main feature of the first four games, even if crowd figures have varied wildly.

"So far, so good," was the positive first comment from FIFA General Secretary Michel Zen-Ruffinen. "There are still plenty of big games to come, but the tournament is off to a good start."

Friday sees Wednesday's two winners, France and Australia, face off in Ulsan, while Korea look to salvage their tournament hopes in their clash with Mexico in Daegu. And on Saturday, Japan face Cameroon while Brazil look to double their points total against Canada.